2017Governance

Statements of the Managing Board

The Managing Board is responsible for the design and operation of the internal risk management and control systems. In discharging this responsibility, the Managing Board has made a systematic assessment of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the internal control and risk management systems.

On the basis of this report and in accordance with best practice 1.4.3 of the Dutch Corporate Governance Code of December 2016, and Article 5:25c of the Financial Supervision Act, the aforementioned assessment and the current state of affairs, to the best of its knowledge and belief, the Managing Board confirms that:

the internal risk management and control systems of the company provide reasonable assurance that financial reporting does not contain any material inaccuracies;

there have been no material failings in the effectiveness of the internal risk management and control systems of the company;

there are no material risks or uncertainties that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the continuity of DSM's operations in the coming twelve months; and

there is a reasonable expectation that DSM will be able to continue its operations and meet its liabilities for at least twelve months, therefore it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial reporting.

It should be noted that the above does not imply that these systems and procedures provide absolute assurance as to the realization of operational and strategic business objectives, or that they can prevent all misstatements, inaccuracies, errors, fraud and non-compliances with legislation, rules and regulations. Nor can they provide certainty that we will achieve our objectives.

In view of all of the above, the Managing Board confirms that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, the financial statements give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the company, and that the management report includes a fair review of the position at the balance sheet date and the development and performance of the business during the financial year, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that the company faces.